Swans midfielder hopes to become first on-baller to play a full game in 2024

Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden has high hopes of playing an entire game in the 2024 season.

It would likely see the 2023 All-Australian run over 16 kilometres without coming to the bench.

Speaking to SEN’s Crunch Time, Gulden volunteered his desire to run out a full contest but added it would be a decision involving all of himself, the coaches and Sydney’s high performance team.

Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson hasn’t come to the bench in his two games this season, while stars Callum Wilkie, Ben McKay and Liam Jones all average over 98 per cent game time this season.

Gulden already averages 91.9 per cent time on ground, just shy of Demons wingman Ed Langdon.

But no other midfielder in the competition covers the ground in the manner of as that duo and only two players have spent more time on the ground over the last six weeks than Gulden.

His average game time has risen almost 12 per cent in the past two seasons.

“It’s probably something that we started talking about at the end of last year and I started playing higher minutes and working pretty hard with the sports science guys at the club just to see what my potential for game time is,” Gulden explained about spending more minutes on the ground in 2024.

“I think I’m in a pretty good spot at the moment, playing on the wing and not playing as much inside midfielder as I was last year, it’s probably helping me play more game time.

“What that looks like I’m not too sure. Being able to run out games is one of my strengths and I’ve been between one or two rotations for much of the games this year.

“Hopefully by the end of the year I can play a full game and not come off… and if it means a few of the other boys get a bit more of a chop out when they’re playing more inside mid, I’m happy to do it.”

He added: “I’d love to be able to play a full game and not come off, that’d be pretty cool.”

Gulden, 21, is fresh off another 28-disposal effort in a 52-point win over Carlton on Friday night where the star Swan spent 92 per cent of the clash on the field.

He played 97 per cent of Sydney’s win over Gold Coast in Round 6.

Gulden’s Swans are now two games clear at the top of the ladder at 9-1, their best start to a season since 1945.